Scottish Ministers have made the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/385), signed by Jenny Gilruth on 3 December 2025 and laid before the Scottish Parliament on 5 December 2025. The instrument takes effect on the date section 1 of the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 is commenced for all purposes.
The purpose is to implement the structural change created by the Education (Scotland) Act 2025: establishing Qualifications Scotland and dissolving the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Across the statute book, references to the SQA are replaced with Qualifications Scotland, with definitions inserted where necessary to ensure continuity.
Equality Act oversight is maintained. The Equality Act 2010 (Qualifications Body Regulator and Relevant Qualifications) (Scotland) Regulations 2010 are amended so that Qualifications Scotland is the appropriate regulator for section 96 of the Equality Act 2010. This preserves the route for addressing discrimination issues linked to relevant qualifications.
Social services regulation is aligned. The Scottish Social Services Council (Consultation on Codes of Practice) Order 2001 now defines Qualifications Scotland and Qualifications Scotland qualification and requires consultation with Qualifications Scotland, rather than the SQA, before Codes of Practice are published for social service workers.
Council tax provisions are updated for apprentices and students. Amendments to the Council Tax (Discounts) (Scotland) Consolidation and Amendment Order 2003 ensure that courses and qualifications used to determine apprentice status, student disregard and qualifying courses now reference Qualifications Scotland. Local authorities can continue to assess eligibility on the same basis with the new awarding body named.
A tidying amendment removes a redundant reference to the SQA from Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Protection of Charities Assets (Exemption) (Scotland) Order 2006, reflecting that the body will no longer exist once the Act is commenced.
Licensing training requirements are adjusted. The Licensing (Training of Staff) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 now provide that mandatory training for staff selling or serving alcohol may be accredited for regulation 2 by Qualifications Scotland. Training providers and licensing boards should align accreditation and guidance to the new regulator at commencement.
Animal welfare certification is kept current. Under the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Scotland) Regulations 2012, a qualification certificate can be issued by a body recognised and regulated by Qualifications Scotland. Food business operators and inspectors should verify recognition against the new body’s arrangements once live.
Education provision at St Mary’s Music School is updated. The St Mary’s Music School (Aided Places) (Scotland) Regulations 2015 now refer to examinations conducted by Qualifications Scotland for the purpose of remitting charges for compulsory field study courses.
Road works competency and registration are reassigned. The Road Works (Qualifications of Operatives and Supervisors) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 designate Qualifications Scotland as the registration body and as an approved body for issuing certificates of competence. Utilities, contractors and road authorities should expect certificates and the register to be maintained by Qualifications Scotland.
Student finance rules are aligned. The Student Support (Scotland) Regulations 2022 are amended so that the standards used for Education Maintenance Allowances and the designated courses listed in Schedule 4 reference Qualifications Scotland rather than the SQA. The listed courses remain as set out in the schedule, with the awarding body updated.
The package operates as consequential change. Regulation 2 gives effect to the schedule of amendments, which primarily substitute the name of the regulator and insert definitions. Substantive policy duties set out in the affected instruments are not altered by this SSI.
Implementation is administrative but wide‑ranging. Public bodies, education providers and regulated businesses should review forms, conditions, websites, application portals and data fields to replace SQA with Qualifications Scotland, and ensure consultation, accreditation and registration obligations are routed to the new body from commencement.
Commencement is tied to section 1 of the Education (Scotland) Act 2025, which establishes Qualifications Scotland. Organisations should monitor the Act’s commencement order to confirm the switch‑over date, as the SSI does not specify a separate date.